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New hope Thameslink services through Sutton will not be axed

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HOPES have risen that Thameslink rail services from Sutton through London will not be cut.

Under present proposals for 2018, Thameslink passengers from Sutton, Carshalton and Hackbridge would have to change trains at Blackfriars to continue their journey to the City, Farringdon, St Pancras International and Luton Airport.

But now following a meeting between transport minister Simon Burns, Sutton's two MPs and a delegation of borough councillors, there is new hope the direct link could remain.

Mr Burns said to the group that he had told the Department for Transport and Network Rail to review the decision to cut the line at Blackfriars and come back with an update early next year.

Tom Brake, MP for Wallington and Carshalton, said this week: "This was a positive outcome because there was a risk that the engineers have come up with a solution which is a huge disbenefit to passengers."

He said stopping the trains at Blackfriars would have freed up space to allow extra trains on other parts of the Thameslink network, such as services from East Croydon.

But the result would have been that passengers from Sutton and Carshalton, perhaps carrying heavy luggage to get to St Pancras or Luton, would have faced long and uncertain waits for trains at Blackfriars.

Mr Brake said: "Now there is scope for reopening the debate on the future of the services and hopefully putting passengers' views first."

Councillor Jill Whitehead, chair of Sutton's environment and neighbourhoods committee, said: "We are very pleased that the minister has agreed to reconsider this ridiculous idea that would cause massive inconvenience to so many people.

"We will carry on the campaign to save this service because it is crucial to so many people who live in Sutton."

She added: "It is a vital link to jobs in the City and provides access to the north of England and Europe via St Pancras.

"Expecting commuters to change trains at Blackfriars will cause absolute chaos, especially at rush hour."

The news has also been welcomed by Steve O'Connell, Sutton's London Assembly member, who has urged Mayor Boris Johnson to put pressure on the Government to get the plans changed.

Mr O'Connell, who admitted he was "miffed" about not be invited to join the delegation, said he was pleased with minister's decision.

He said: "We are all pushing together on this."

New hope Thameslink services through Sutton will not be axed


Croydon 'advent calendar' of wanted people released by police

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POLICE in Croydon have released an 'advent' of 25 images of people they want to identify in connection with offences committed in the borough. The CCTV images relate to crimes including theft, robbery, burglary and drug cultivation. "We'd ask members of the public to have a look at these images and let us know if they recognise any of the people here", said Detective Constable Richard Beckley. "You can let us know via Crimestoppers, which is a completely independent charity, and your personal details won't get passed to police either - it's completely anonymous." Anyone with information about any of the people in the images should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote the relevant reference number.

Croydon 'advent calendar' of wanted people released by police

Croydon nightclub could be closed permanently after gang fears

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A CROYDON nightclub could face permanent closure after police submitted a dossier linking the venue to violence.

The Roxbury has been shut since November 10, due to fears of a shooting at a promoted event where gang members were reported to be planning to gather.

Police thought a rival gang could have been plotting revenge following a death in July.

Lionel Kerr, premises licence holder at the High Street club, has accused the police of racism and said they don't want a large black venue in central Croydon. Police strenuously deny his claim.

A licensing sub-committee hearing set for today was adjourned, but Croydon Council is set to meet next week, to decide if The Roxbury can ever open again.

A number of statements have been handed to the council's licensing committee by police.

The evidence describes:

A large fight that started in the venue and spilled into the street

The head of a gang member being hit with a tripod of the dance floor

More than 500 people left queuing outside after ticket sales for an event exceed the capacity

Identified and known gang members regularly seen in or around the club since 2010

A first floor window being open during operating hours, and very loud music emanating.

In a statement dated November 28, PC Darren Rhodes said: "2012 has not been a particularly good year for The Roxbury.

"There were artists appearing on the line-up who had connections to gangs across London and were embroiled in disputes involving guns where serious threats were being made.

"I am aware that Lionel (Kerr) owes Croydon Council £70,000 in unpaid business rates, and today the landlord of the premises has repossessed the venue due to £30,000 in rent arrears."

Detective Superintendent Simon Messinger says there is strong intelligence linking The Roxbury to a gang, whose name is blanked out in the report.

He wrote: "Identified members of this group have been seen in and around the venue on a regular basis. (They) are in conflict with a number of other gangs within Croydon and other London boroughs, both north and south.

"The control of an area is vital to maintain this 'reputation' and also allows the safe environment to sell controlled drugs and commit other offences.

"When such a venue becomes associated with one group gang, this increases the risk to those patrons attending for innocent and social reasons. Rival gangs will attend in an effort to take over the territory."

Croydon nightclub could be closed permanently after gang fears

James Daly: Crystal Palace could actually get promoted

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James Daly's weekly Crystal Palace column for the Croydon Advertiser I HAD a dream the other day. A dream that went so perfectly it can only have been a dream. I woke up with such a massive smile on my face and could only wish that it had actually all been true.

No, not the Jessica Alba dream again, but I dreamt that Palace smashed Brighton 3-0 and completely played their arch-rivals off the park, dominating from the first whistle to the last, Glenn Murray scored twice against his old team and took Palace back to the top of the Championship.

Can you imagine if that actually happened in real life? Oh wait, it did? Really? Amazing!

Palace's win over the Seagulls was the stuff dreams really are made of, but for me it only cemented the fact that we really are a team to be reckoned with this season and, whisper it quietly, oh hell SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS: we could actually get promoted.

Every time I say that to myself I imagine that Palace get a point deducted or that I am changing the course of history somehow like Marty McFly in Back to the Future, or a kitten dies.

But really, looking at it logically, the Eagles have to now be one of the favourites for promotion - if not, THE favourites. And that is a weird thing for me to type. Especially as at the start of the season I was writing about another season of relegation avoiding and general doom and gloom.

I mean, if it were any other team, I'd be looking at them thinking 'well, they are nailed on for promotion, they have a great team with some quality players, a manager who has experience of taking teams up from this level, shrewd businessmen in charge of the club, sexy cheerleaders and, above all, a brilliant fanzine edited by a chap who writes a superb column in the local paper - they MUST go up'.

Of course, now I've committed these thoughts to print, Palace will go on a 25-game losing streak, all the players will leave, Selhurst will burn down and I will be arrested for crimes against journalism.

But for the time being, I'm secretly backing us to go up. And I'm off to the bookies to place a bet on just that.

James Daly: Crystal Palace could actually get promoted

Carols By Candlelight at The Glamorgan Pub.

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On Saturday 15th December, East Croydon Community group "Residents For Regeneration" will be hosting Carols by Candlelight at The Glamorgan Pub, Cherry Orchard Road, East Croydon.

Come along for a mince pie or two and a glass of mulled wine whilst singing along to carols old and new.

We hope that the event will provide an opportunity to step into the spirit of Christmas and meet new friends.

The evening begins at 7pm.

Carols By Candlelight at The Glamorgan Pub.

Palace 2-2 Blackpool: Late equaliser denies Palace three points

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CRYSTAL Palace were held to a 2-2 draw against Blackpool this afternoon thanks to a late equaliser from substitute Nouha Dicko.

In a game the Eagles looked to have just done enough to claim all three points, good work by Blackpool's man of the match Wes Thomas saw Dicko fire home from close range.

Michael Appleton's side took the lead thanks to Nathan Delfouneso shortly before the break, but Owen Garvan equalised with a header minutes into the second period.

And Glenn Murray continued his fantastic form at home with his 18th goal of the season, powering home a firm header to put the Eagles 2-1 up.

But in the final minute of normal time, Dicko was on hand to stab the ball home and deny Palace of keeping up with league leaders Cardiff City.

It was a bright start for the visitors as Craig Cathcart headed over from a corner, Isaiah Osbourne scuffed a shot wide and Wes Thomas hooked an effort just the other side of Julian Speroni's post all within the first five minutes.

And they cranked up the pressure soon after with good movement down both flanks, only for Damien Delaney to do well and cut both deliveries out with Blackpool attackers lurking in front of goal.

Palace got back into the game after 15 minutes, with Garvan, Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie looking particularly bright but without testing Matt Gilks in the Blackpool goal.

Angel Martinez received the first booking of the afternoon for a lunge on Zaha, while Bolaise went into the referee's notebook soon after, which looked slightly harsh after he looked to have won the ball.

Just before the half-hour mark, Zaha had Palace's first chance on goal when he burst into the box down the right and forced a good stop from Gilks.

Glenn Murray was lurking at the back post and may have been a better option for Zaha to pick out, but it was better response from the hosts anyhow.

However, Blackpool took the lead shortly before the break. Tom Ince did well down the right before delivering a dangerous ball towards the back post and Nathan Delfouneso got in front of Darcy Blake to head downwards past Speroni.

And they went close again on two more occasions in quick succession through Wes Thomas.

The first chance saw the striker beat Blake down the left, cut back inside and shoot low towards the near post which Speroni did well to gather, while a minute later, a great ball in from the left found the frontman unmarked to head back across goal with the Argentine beaten.

On the stroke of half-time, a hard challenge on Garvan inside the box saw the home faithful screaming for a penalty, but the referee wasn't interested.

In the second-half, Palace looked for a response straight away but their over-enthusiastic play saw them play a few sloppy passes.

However, they grabbed the equaliser after 52 minutes thanks to Garvan.

Zaha burst down the right and played the ball across goal, and with no one on hand to convert, Bolasie turned the ball back into the danger area and Garvan was on hand to head home past Gilks.

And just 90 seconds later, Garvan nearly put Palace ahead when he clipped the top of the crossbar with a curling free-kick from the edge of the box.

Andre Moritz then came on for Blake soon after as manager Ian Holloway went looking for a second, while Kagisho Dikgacoi switched to right-back.

But on 64 minutes, they took the lead thanks to top goalscorer Glenn Murray, who has been in scintillating form at Selhurst Park this season.

Garvan received the ball on the left side of the box and delivered a pinpoint cross from the left and the striker rose to power home an unstoppable header into the bottom corner with Gilks stranded.

Bolasie went close to adding a third with a free-kick on the left that Gilks looked to have tipped away for a corner, but the referee decided to give a goal-kick instead to the amazement of the home faithful.

However, Blackpool grabbed an equaliser of their own in the last minute thanks to substitute Nouha Dicko.

Good play from Thomas on the right side of the box saw the striker drill the ball across the six-yard box and Dicko was on hand to stab home - and after taking his shirt off and running into the Blackpool fans, he was given a straight-forward booking.

Blackpool looked for the winner in the five minutes added on, with substitute Kevin Phillips dragging a shot wide and Ramage intercepting well from Thomas.

But that was the last of the action and Palace had to make do with just a point. Next Saturday, they travel to Birmingham City.

Palace: Speroni, Blake (Moritz 56), Parr, Ramage, Delaney, Dikgacoi, Jedinak (c), Garvan, Bolasie, Zaha, Bolasie (Moxey 90), Murray.

Subs Not Used: Price, Gabbidon, O'Keefe, Wilbraham, Easter.

Attendance: 15,954


By Croydon Advertiser Sports Reporter Mark Ritson

BREAKING: Man rushed to Croydon hospital after crash "traps" him in car

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A MAN was rushed to hospital last night (Saturday) after his car collided with railings in Rectory Grove, Croydon.
Fire, police and ambulance crews attended the scene at around 10.30pm after the man became "trapped by the nature of [his] injuries" inside the vehicle. 
He was rushed to Croydon University Hospital after the emergency services assisted his "removal" from the car. No other cars had crashed at the scene.
A fireman said they did not know how old the man was, the make or model of his car or whether his injuries were life-threatening.

BREAKING: Man rushed to Croydon hospital after crash

Croydon 'Restaurant Pack' guide launched by business partners

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A NEW way of finding out about Croydon's huge range of restaurants has been launched by business partners David Pender and Gavin Shaw.

Mr Pender, who spent much of his life in Croydon and Norbury but now lives in Manhattan, has drawn on the idea of producing the Restaurant Pack from a similar venture in New York City.

Now he and Mr Shaw, who is Croydon-based, have launched their guide to restaurants in Croydon.

The pack comprises 52 cards, each describing a particular restaurant.

The pack costs £19.99 but the individual cards can be used to get a £10 discount on the first meal in each restaurant up to December 31 next year.

Mr Pender said as well as launching what the pair hoped would be a successful business venture, they believed the pack would demonstrate the range of top class eating places on offer across the borough.

He said: "We've had some cracking meals at local restaurants; meals that easily rival the standard and quality of lots of the so-called best restaurants in central London.

"Sadly we've seen many of these restaurants close their doors over the years and that saddens us.

"Equally, the riots of 2011 were a little too close to home and that's given many of our favourite areas a bad reputation."

He added: "If we can play a small part in supporting excellent local restaurants to thrive and help the local community save money while eating great food, we will have accomplished what we set out to do."

More details about the pack can be found at www.restaurantpack.co.uk

Croydon 'Restaurant Pack' guide launched by business partners


'My best memory of Croydon is the end of the Second World War'

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JOYCE King, 81, from Shirley, was born and bred in Croydon. She tells Lucie Potter she has seen a lot of change but could not imagine being anywhere other than the place she calls home... I WAS born in Alderton Road, Woodside, on the 29 December 1930 and since then I've moved around, but I've never left Croydon.

From my time growing up here, my best memory would have to be the end of the Second World War. Everybody was out in the streets celebrating.

All the people at work had left but I had to rush through my job to sort out the pay. If we didn't finish then no-one would get paid. As soon as I did this, I was outside celebrating with the rest of the country.

Before the war the Mayday parade every year was a highlight of living in Croydon, it started at Woodside Green and went through the streets to South Norwood rec.

They would have a fancy dress competition. One year I dressed up as scotch porridge oats; I had a tartan skirt and a black velvet jacket and that year I won the competition. Of course, that all ended when the war started.

When I found out that our country was at war, I was eight going on nine-years-old.

Every Sunday morning, I had a tin bath in front of the fire and my mum told me then. I jumped up because I was really excited but my mum was not impressed and I got a good hiding that day.

During the war we got bombed out, there was an iron bar in the middle of my bed when I looked in the morning, and we had a lucky escape.

An entire family on our road in South Norwood were killed that night.

We were put in a requisition house in Thornton Heath. The reason why we were bombed out so much was because of Norwood Junction train station. They used to follow the train tracks and then make a hit when they reached the station.

When the doodlebugs started, we went to the public air raid shelter in Portland Road every night. Down there we used to have a sing song, mainly old Vera Lynn songs and we had the radio to listen too.

I wasn't evacuated during the war, my mother was deaf and I think she wanted to keep me close by; it was difficult because a lot of my friends were evacuated. Some of them never came home, they made a new life somewhere else. Those who did came back with new accents, like a Scottish accent and they just seemed different.

My favourite place to go was the Empire Theatre in North End where you could stand in there for half a crown, if you wanted a seat it would probably set you back about five shillings.

I have three daughters and had two sons, one of which has passed away. I now have 13 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. All of us live in Croydon because everyone met and married locally. I met my late husband in the school grounds in South Norwood and we started going out when I was 15.

We got married in 1949 in Croydon and were married for 44 years.

  • Do you have any memories or photos of past times in Croydon that you would like to share with us? Please e-mail newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk or call the news desk on 01737 783822.

'My best memory of Croydon is the end of the Second World War'

Specialist sports school could be built in South Norwood

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A REAL Olympic legacy could be the outcome of plans for a new secondary school centred on sporting excellence, Croydon's education chief has said.

Councillor Tim Pollard, the council's cabinet member for children, families and learners, announced the idea at this week's full council meeting, and the scheme will be considered by the cabinet on Monday.

Cllr Pollard told the Advertiser: "This idea is more than just another school expansion, it is a genuine Olympic legacy project that focuses attention on Croydon's growing reputation for sporting prowess."

The new plan envisages combining the use of the South Norwood adult education centre site and the nearby Croydon Arena, in Albert Road, to provide a new six-form entry secondary school, specialising in sports science, with a 250-strong sixth form.

If backed, the plans would replace earlier proposals to open a four-form entry school on the adult education site alone, operating as an annex to an existing high school.

There had been suggestions this could have led to the return a grammar school to Croydon, combining the new school with an existing grammar - possibly in neighbouring boroughs Bromley or Sutton - but there was no interest from any grammar schools.

Now, Mr Pollard told Monday's meeting, further investigations had revealed it would be possible to combine the adult education and arena sites for use as a stand-alone viable school, provided permission for release of open land at the Arena can be obtained from the Greater London Authority.

Under the proposals, the Arena would continue to be used by local teams and sports clubs.

Cllr Pollard said the council had started the process of looking for partners on the project.

He added: "As well as educational bodies, we are also keen to hear from commercial organisations in the sporting world who would be interested in becoming a part of this thrilling chance to build on the Olympics triumph."

Talks have already started with Croydon FC and the Croydon Harriers, both of whom use the Arena as their base.

The council says its plan would allow both organisations to continue to use the site, with the added bonus that all of its facilities would be significantly upgraded.

While not rejecting the idea, Labour education spokeswoman Councillor Kathy Bee questioned the motive behind the change of direction.

She said: "It looks as if the four form annex idea was a wheeze to get grammar schools back."

Specialist sports school could be built in South Norwood

Purley mosque appeal refused over traffic concerns

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A MOSQUE will not be created in Purley in the foreseeable future after a protracted appeal for an Islamic centre was refused.

The Planning Inspectorate this week ruled that a mosque in Russell Hill Place would do "significant harm" to the town centre – putting an end to a nine-month appeal.

Purley Islamic Community Centre (PICC), the charity proposing the place of worship after local Muslims raised nearly £200,000, lodged the appeal after Croydon Council's planning committee refused their plan in March.

Opponents say they are "pleased" by the refusal and that a question mark no longer hangs over the future of the site.

Monir Mohammed, the high-flying businessman leading the charity, said: "It is very disappointing and a setback for the whole community. We will reflect on this decision and its implications and plan our next steps appropriately.

"We will explore all options and avenues and we will, of course, keep our community informed."

"We would like to acknowledge the help, support and guidance of all our community."

A report issued by the Inspectorate this week ruled that an increase in traffic on Russell Hill Place would cause "conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles", and "that there would be a greater number of cars generated by the proposal at peak times than the eight cars indicated".

This would exacerbate the "existing highway safety risks" as vehicles are forced to back onto Brighton Road when cars meet.

Although it agreed that the noise generated would not be enough to disturb residents in above flats, "an unacceptable erosion of the living conditions" of dwellers would result from worshippers coming and going five times a day at prayer times.

The report concluded: "The significant level of support for the proposal do[es] not outweigh the significant harm."

David Osland, chairman of Croydon Council's planning committee, said: "I am pleased it has been turned down and I sincerely hope the Muslim community soon finds a more suitable place for their place of worship."

PICC had already signed a contract for the old Venture photography building after laying down a five per cent deposit. However, contractual conditions mean the charity will receive the deposit back without further loss of funds. A fee of £312,000 had been agreed for the building.

Last month another PICC member submitted a £1.5 million bid for an old church in Haling Road, South Croydon, in an attempt to overthrow the Russell Hill Place plan, after dissent and dissatisfaction with Mr Mohammed from within the charity.

Purley mosque appeal refused over traffic concerns

Shelley Pratt's mother: 'My instinct is that someone has got my missing daughter'

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THE parents of a 14-year-old girl who has not been seen for a month have revealed she has gone missing before – but fear she has been snatched this time around.

Shelley Pratt, from South Norwood, was last seen at approximately 3.30pm on Thursday November 8 getting off the bus at Crown Point.

Since then there has been no contact from Shelley to any of her family or friends and her parents fear someone has taken her and have asked them to let her go.

CCTV images of Shelley at George Street tram stop at 9pm on the day she went missing have been released in the hope they will jog someone's memory.

Her mother Lisa said: "It is my mother's instinct that someone has got her. If they do I just want to tell them to let her go so she can come home and see her brothers and sisters again."

Shelley, the fourth of six children and a Westwood Language College student, went missing for three days last year but has never been gone for this long.

Her father Tony explained: "Last year she was abducted by a 19-year-old boy. The police found her under his bed. After that she was scared to go out and I would drop her off and pick her up from school but then she told me I had to let her go on her own again.

"Her Facebook hasn't had anything on it and her friends don't know anything either. She doesn't have a phone because I snapped it when she was talking to boys last year.

"I said she could have another one when I could trust her again.

"That's why this came out the blue because she's been so good for three months."

Mrs Pratt said: "She is a big daddy's girl. The last time I saw her was that morning.

"She got into my bed about 6.30am and then I woke her up for school at 7. She had a wash and met her cousin for school. We know she went to school, she seemed happy, she seemed fine, this is completely out of the blue. We need her back."

Mr Pratt said: "She is strong as an ox, she's a big girl, she's strong willed. We just want her back, I want to give her the biggest kiss and cuddle she's ever had, I need that too.

"Her brothers miss her, the youngest think she's on holiday but the older one knows something's not right.

"I've been out every night on my bike looking for her, whether it's snowing or raining I'm there. She loves Christmas, she'd never miss it.

"We just want her home."

Shelley's schoolmates are missing the 'lively' teenager. Senior deputy head of Westwood Girls' College Sam Palin said: "Shelley is a lively, energetic student for whom the college has great affection. We have been working closely with the police to help their investigation. "Her classmates in her PE BTEC Group are desperate to see her back in school as she is a good all-rounder. "Her form tutor, tutor group and head of house are really missing her and are deeply concerned about her safety. Our hearts go out to her family at this time." Police have urged people to be 'nosy neighbours' in a bid to find missing Shelley. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Dunne said: "What has raised my concerns is the fact that we have had absolutely no contact with her. She is a vulnerable girl. The longer no one hears from her the more important it becomes to get information. "I am appealing for the public to be nosy neighbours. Look at people going in and out of flats and houses. I am working on the basis that she is with someone. "Please take a good look at the image we have circulated. She could look 16, 17 or even 18 years old." Shelley's Oyster card, which she told her parents had been lost a few days before she went missing, was used three to four hours after she went missing. DCI Dunne said: "We don't know if it was her using it, children swap their cards all the time, so the last reported sighting was Shelley getting off the bus with some friends." Anyone with information about Shelley's whereabouts is urged to call the incident room on 020 8721 4906.

Shelley Pratt's mother: 'My instinct is that someone has got my missing daughter'

Murder detectives investigating disappearance of Shelley Pratt

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MURDER detectives are now investigating the disappearance of Croydon schoolgirl Shelley Pratt.

Although not yet officially a murder investigation, a dedicated "murder team" has been assigned to the case as the five-week anniversary of the 14-year-old going missing approaches.

A Met spokesman said the team has been handed the case because they have more recourses, expertise and are more used to making extensive enquiries.

The spokesman added calls continue to come in from the public while the force is growing increasingly "worried" about the disappearance.

CCTV images of Shelley at George Street tram stop in Croydon town centre at 9.30pm on November 8 – the day she was last seen – were released by officers last week.

It is not known if Shelley, who was on her own, boarded a tram or where she was heading. She was pictured wearing her school uniform trousers and a distinctive dark purple hooded jumper with the slogan "I love (heartsymbol) London." She is white and around 5ft 6in tall with long brown hair.

Anyone with information should call police 020 8721 4906.

Croydon North MP to focus on jobs, crime and neglect

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RESPECT raised the stakes and UKIP raised the hackles with their candidate's views on gay adoption but, for all the controversy during the campaign, the election for the next Croydon North MP produced a predictable outcome - a victory for Labour. Gareth Davies and Ian Austen look back at election night and ask Steve Reed, the area's new MP, what's in his in-tray. NEW Croydon North MP Steve Reed has told the Advertiser how he'll be prioritising three key areas troubling his constituents – jobs, crime and neglect of the area.

The former Lambeth Council leader, elected with a 11,761 majority in last week's election, told the Advertiser that he was already arranging a jobs summit for early in the new year, inviting employers, businesses, the council, Jobcentre Plus representatives, schools, colleges and faith groups to get together and come up with answers to unemployment problems in the north of the borough.

Mr Reed said: "Unemployment is on the rise in the north and youth unemployment is rising faster than in neighbouring areas.

"We need to decide how to get people back to work, and demand action from City Hall and the Government to help do that."

On crime, Mr Reed said people in his constituency believe crimes like robbery and muggings are on the increase, despite claims that overall crime figures were down.

He said: "They are worried about plans to close South Norwood Police Station and remove 100 officers from the streets.

"We need to tell City Hall and the Government that this is the wrong thing to do, at times like this when we have things like a spate of muggings at the Brit School happening.

"We have to demand that the police are reinstated."

Mr Reed went on to blame the neglect of parts of the constituency on Croydon Council, for failing to keep streets clean, and on the Mayor of London's office, for not coming up with investment to deal with problems left after last year's riots quickly enough.

He said: "One very clear sign of the neglect problem is the state of the streets in the area; they are litter-strewn and filthy. People are really upset by this and feel let down.

"We need to put pressure on the council to start investing a fair share of resources in the north, and not just focus on the south."

He said he was being told that potential investors were being put off coming to Croydon because of this neglect.

Mr Reed, who was sworn in as an MP on Monday, replaces Malcolm Wicks, the Labour MP who gave 20 years of service to Croydon before his death from cancer in September.

The new MP said he was hoping to make his maiden speech in the House of Commons next week, when he would be focusing on how people in the constituency felt let down by the authorities.

He added: "Malcolm Wicks will be a very hard act to follow, but I have been elected with a pretty strong mandate and I am going to give the job my undivided attention.

"People want somebody who will be a strong voice for the community and that is what I intend to be."

When the results were announced in the early hours of Friday at Archbishop Lanfranc School, it soon became clear that nine of the 12 candidates had lost their deposits. Candidates must poll at least 5 per cent of the vote – otherwise they lose the £500 required to stand for election. Those losing their deposit included Respect's Lee Jasper, Green Party candidate Shahsa Khan, and Lib Dem Marisha Ray. Just five votes separated the Lib Dems and Greens, for whom Shasha Khan polled 3.46 per cent of the votes – up from 2 per cent at the 2010 general election. The Lib Dems' share of the vote, 3.48 per cent, was a huge drop from its 14 per cent in 2010. A perennial election candidate, The Monster Raving Loony Party's John Cartwright (also known as John Loony) polled 110 votes. Turnout was just 26.53 per cent - compared to 60 per cent at the last election. Votes polled for candidates in the Croydon North by-election (alphabetical order) CARTWRIGHT, John Sydney, Official Monster Raving Loony Party 110 EDMONDS, Richard Charles, National Front 161 HAMMOND, Stephen Charles, Christian Peoples Alliance 192 JASPER, Lee Andrew, Respect (George Galloway) 707 KHAN, Shasha Islam, Green Party 855 LANE, Simon Robert, Nine Eleven Was An Inside Job 66 McKENZIE, Winston Truman, UK Independence Party (UKIP) 1,400 RAY, Marisha Priyanka (known as Marisha), Liberal Democrats 860 REED, Steve, Labour Party 15,898 elected SMITH, Robin Young People's Party YPP 63 STEVENSON, Ben, The Communist Party Candidate 119 STRANACK, Andrew Jeremy, The Conservative Party Candidate 4,137 Electorate: 93,036 Ballot papers counted: 24,680 Turnout: 26.53 per cent (2010 general election: 60.6 per cent) Winner's majority: 11,761 (2010 general election: 16,481)

Croydon North MP to focus on jobs, crime and neglect

Photos wanted for Community in Focus Photography Competition

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There is just over a week left for budding Croydon based photographers to win a prize by submitting their snapshots of people, places and celebrations to national photographic competition Community in Focus.

There are two categories in the competition - inspiring images of community life, and photos of projects funded by theBig Lottery Fund making a positive difference to people and communities. You can visit the Big Lottery Fund Grants website for details of local projects.

Check out our examples above and if you feel you can represent Croydon with some quality photos, send one over!

The competition runs until Wednesday 19 December 2012 , and entries must be submitted via the Media Trust Cam360 website or via the Cam360 iPhone app. All entries must be supplied with a caption explaining when the photo was taken and how it illustrates what is brilliant about Croydon, or a Big Lottery Fund project. For full details please visit the Media Trust website.

Communities in Focus has been launched by the Big Lottery Fund and national charity Media Trust, in partnership with the Thisis and LocalPeople community websites sites run by Visit Northcliffe Digital - including This Is Croydon.

To read full article click here .

Photos wanted for Community in Focus Photography Competition


Holloway: Both teams tried to play decent football

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CRYSTAL Palace boss Ian Holloway says both the Eagles and Blackpool tried to play positive football on Saturday.
Despite an emotional attachment to his former side, the manager admitted Palace weren't at their best in the 2-2 draw against the Tangerines.
"It was disappointing as it was a shadow of what we've been like recently," he said.
"You talk of playing down emotion with Cardiff winning on Friday night and we knew what we had to try and do, but I thought Blackpool played very well.
"It's not easy when you've been somewhere a long time and had some great times.
"It was nice to see some of those lads that worked with me for three-and-a-half years, so that was good, but you've got to move on.
"Both teams tried to play decent football with exciting wingers and players giving their all for the shirt, and that's what life is all about for me.
"No one can say they didn't do that when I was at Blackpool."

BREAKING: Missing Croydon mother and her two children found

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A CROYDON mother and her two children who went missing last week have been found.
Tanya Campbell, 33, of South Croydon, disappeared with her two daughters, aged eight and four, on Wednesday (December 5).
But all three have been found safe and well in Bath, Somerset, the Met announced tonight.
They were found the day after she went missing at 3pm. Police apologised for the four-day delay in keeping the press and public informed.
A Met spokesman said: "We would like to thank the media and public for their assistance and apologise for the delay in this update and any inconvenience caused."

BREAKING: Missing Croydon mother and her two children found

Doble Motorcycles development talks re-opened after support from Coulsdon community

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CROYDON Council has re-started talks on a key development after an outpouring of support for it from local residents.

The council had wanted to refuse Coulsdon business Doble Motorcycles' application to expand its site in Brighton Road, saying the design had become unacceptable.

But it is now renegotiating with the family business after residents' associations said the development, on the land behind the store's premises at 103 Brighton Road, was vital for the town.

In an e-mail seen by the Advertiser, the council's director of planning Mike Kiely stated: "I have therefore agreed that we will let this application go over the normal eight -week determination deadline so that we can continue to develop the design with the applicant, and hopefully bring it back on track.

"I have taken this decision in the light of the significance of this business in Coulsdon and the employment benefits that it brings."

The plans are for a two-storey building containing a retail sales area and service stations on the lower floor, with storage space for 88 motorbikes on the upper floor.

Residents' associations have deemed the development, highly visible from the town's northern entrance and the bypass junction, a boost to the area.

Charles King, chair of the East Coulsdon Residents' Association, said when the plans were introduced: "I am very pleased because it will create activity in the town centre, bring people into the town and maintain around 30 jobs in the town centre.

"The last thing we want is them moving out of Coulsdon, and I think that might have been the case."

Richard Thurbon, chair of the Coulsdon West Residents' Association, said he was shocked to find the association could only send a development to planning committee if it objected, not if it approved, as in this case.

"I stated the fact that this reduced residents' associations to a bunch of NIMBYs who object to everything," he said.

Major redevelopment of Coulsdon is on the way, with 650 homes planned for Cane Hill and a new masterplan for the town being finalised.

Mr Thurbon added: "I think [there will be more planning problems] until we restore faith and commonsense planning and don't hide behind endless jargon and guidelines when judging applications.

"It just seems to drive another nail into the sarcophagus of Coulsdon unless we get real traction on change."

Doble Motorcyles has been in Coulsdon since its founding in 1967. Mike Doble was unavailable for comment before going to press.

A council spokesman said: "The constitution does not allow for an application to be referred to committee where a residents' association supports an application and there is a recommendation to refuse permission.

"When permission is refused under delegated authority, the applicant has the right of appeal against this decision and local residents can make their views known during the appeal processes."

Doble Motorcycles development talks re-opened after support from Coulsdon community

New Selhurst primary school rated good by Ofsted

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A NEW primary school is celebrating a glowing Ofsted report – despite only being open for 14 months.

The Crescent Primary School, in Selhurst, received a rating of "good" in every category.

Head teacher Jane Fairbourn says she was surprised the school was inspected after just three and a half terms, but was pleased with the findings. The school, in The Crescent, only opened in September last year and completely rejuvenated and revitalised the former Selhurst Boys' School premises.

It continued to undergo refurbishment and now boasts 240 pupils.

The school was inspected by Ofsted between November 7 and 8. The report describes teaching as being characterised by "confident subject knowledge" so that it is "lively and good humoured".

Pupils, meanwhile, enter school in the morning in a "well-ordered, calm and happy way".

The inspectors wrote: "The head teacher, very ably supported by the deputy head teacher and other senior leaders, has been instrumental in successfully leading the school through a challenging period of building work since 2011."

Teaching is "good" overall and some teaching is "outstanding".

The report adds: "Pupils are excited about learning, they enjoy school and their behaviour is good.

"Staff morale is high and there is an obvious excitement among staff, governors and parents and carers about the potential and growth of this new school."

Mrs Fairbourn's leadership was described as "inspirational".

She told the Advertiser: "It is still a very exciting journey that we're on and I'm really enjoying it.

"We'll continue to build the school community for the children.

"That's what we're all about here, we want the children to be the best they can and achieve the very highest standard they can."

Mrs Fairbourn added she wanted to make the school a fun environment.

She praised the staff team and the "fabulous" parents who decided to send their children to a school which essentially had no history.

Mrs Fairbourn added: "They took a real leap of faith to join us. I'm glad we haven't let them down."

New Selhurst primary school rated good by Ofsted

Bates heads Croydon Harriers league challenge

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SOPHIE Bates spearheaded the Croydon Harriers challenge at the latest round of the Surrey Women's League at Nonsuch Park last Saturday thanks to a top 50 finish.

Bates finished 50th with 26 minutes and 52 seconds over the 6km course in the 342-strong field, while she followed this up with a bronze medal at the Kingston 10K 24 hours later.

In the young athletes races at Nonsuch, Stevie Lawrence finished fifth in the U17s women's race and in the U15s category, Naomi Carty was 32nd, Josie Kavanagh 36th and Fiona Kirby-Walker 46th to group well out of 49 finishers. The team placed sixth overall.

Ellie McCormack kept the flag flying in the U13 girls' race finishing 27th in the field of 39.

On Sunday, a further 12 young athletes were in action at the Downs Cross-Country League with Emily Howe finishing runner-up (U15 girls), while Angus Harrington (U13 boys) and Rob Spalding (U15 boys) both finished fourth among the highlights.

The U13 and U15 teams are both third in the team standings with two fixtures remaining.

At the Pirie 10-mile race at Farthing Downs, David Brown was 17th in one hour, three minutes and 36 seconds.

In the pick of the ParkRun action, Peter Chambers won the Dulwich ParkRun by over half-a-minute, triumphing in 16 minutes and two seconds.

Bates heads Croydon Harriers league challenge

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